I INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL – CONTEST
19 November- 24 November,2026 Georgia
FROM GEORGIA WITH LOVE
The I International Festival – Contest “NEW STORIES of the OLD CAPITAL” is organized by the companies: LTD “TEAM TRAVEL” and LLC “GEO.FEST.GEORGIA”, with the support of the Board of the European Association of Folklore Festivals (EAFF).
The festival-contest will be held at the State Hall in the city of Mtskheta.
During their stay in Georgia, participants will have the opportunity not only to take part in the festival, but also to visit many interesting and colorful places of our country and discover Georgian history and culture.
Georgia is the “country of St. George,” filled with sunshine, light, dancing, singing, pride and love. Georgia welcomes you - a land of elegance and emotion. A country of natural artistry and eternal celebration, vibrant temperament, warmth, vivid emotions, unmatched hospitality, and unforgettable impressions.
Georgia is famous for its hospitality - “The guest is a messenger of God,” says a Georgian proverb. For centuries, traditions of hospitality, love and deep respect for guests have been passed down from generation to generation. A country that everyone falls in love with after just one visit!
Georgia is hospitality, sea and mountains, warm sunshine, architecture, and traditions -simply breathtaking!
Tbilisi is the heart of the capital of Georgia. It is the country’s largest city and an important economic, political, transport, scientific, cultural and spiritual center. The history of Tbilisi spans many centuries.
Formerly known as Tiflis, the city celebrated its 1,550th anniversary in 2008.
The name Tbilisi means “warm spring”; in Georgian, “tbili” means “warm”. The name and origin of the city are associated with the warm sulphur springs located in the area.
Tbilisi was founded in the 5th century AD by Vakhtang Gorgasali. By the 6th century it had become the capital of Iberia, a kingdom whose territory was located in what is now Georgia. According to legend, while King Vakhtang Gorgasali was hunting, his falcon and its prey, a pheasant, fell into a hot spring. Having discovered the spring, the king ordered a city to be built on the site.
Today, the legendary spring is located in Abanotubani, the oldest district of Tbilisi. Tbilisi offers virtually everything that visitors may find interesting: ancient monuments, modern centers, mountains and forests, plains and lakes. In addition to the indigenous Georgian population, Armenians, Russians, Jews, Ossetians, Azerbaijanis, Assyrians, Greeks and other communities live here.
Guests to Mtskheta will quickly see why it is called the city-museum. With its towering monuments, quaint cobblestone streets, and idyllic charm, it’s easy to see why Mtskheta is one of Georgia’s most popular tourist destinations. According to legend, Mtskheta was founded in the 1st millennium by the ethnarch Mtskhetos, but it was King Parnavaz, the great reformer king, who proclaimed it the capital of Kartli Kingdom (otherwise known as Iberia) in the 4th century BCE. Going even farther back, archaeological digs have unearthed the evidence of human activity in the area as far back as the 3rd and 2nd millennium. While no longer a capital in its own right, Mtskheta is nonetheless still a vital cultural and religious center for modern-day Georgia, distinguished for its cosmopolitan population and religious tolerance. It is Mtskheta’s abundance of ancient churches and monuments that give it its city-museum status. Churches such as the 4th century Samtavro St. Nino Church, the 4th - 5th century, Antioch (St. Stephen First Martyr Church), and the 6th - 7th century Jvari Church all stand as testament to Christianity’s immense influence in the region. Christianity was proclaimed the state religion of Georgia from Mtskheta back in the 4th century. The large churches such as Svetitskhoveli (1010 - 1129) and the Samtavro Church Complex 1030) were built during the feudal period and represent brilliant
examples of Georgian religious architecture. (1030) were built during the feudal period and represent brilliant examples of Georgian religious architecture.
A JOURNEY THROUGH GEORGIA WILL LEAVE NO ONE INDIFFERENT
Children’s and youth groups, as well as individual performers aged 5 and above, may take part in the festival.
Categories: choreography, vocal, instrumental performance, theatre, photography, variety/original genre, circus arts, fine arts, decorative and applied arts.
Folk, classic, jazz, percussion ensembles, guitar ensembles, jazz-style ensembles, chamber orchestras, symphony orchestras, accordion and bayan ensembles, folk-instrument ensembles.
Drama theatre, musical theatre, performers of spoken word, poetry, pantomime, fashion theatre, photography, variety/original genre, circus arts, fine arts, decorative and applied arts.
Each performer (soloist) must present one composition with a maximum duration of 3 minutes. If a soloist wishes to perform a second composition, the full participation fee for the second composition must also be paid. The second composition will not be considered an additional nomination.
If duet, trio, quartets or quintets wish to perform a second composition, the full participation fee for the second composition must also be paid. The second composition will not be considered an additional nomination.
Dance groups must perform two dances in the contest, both in the same dance style, with each performance lasting no longer than 6 minutes. If a group performs one folk dance and one contemporary dance, an additional nomination fee will be paid.
The maximum duration of theatrical performances is 20 minutes.
All musical compositions must be saved on a USB flash drive and sent to the festival organizers by email: geofestival2023@gmail.com
YOU ALSO NEED TO HAVE BACKUP COPIES OF ALL TRACKS!
Each recording must be provided on a separate flash drive, indicating the title of the work, the name of the ensemble, the performer’s first and last name, and the duration of the recording. The application must specify whether the numbers need to be separated or whether the performance will be operated as one continuous block.
The application must also indicate where the performance begins: from the stage center or from the wings.
The application must include the first and last names of all festival participants and their leaders/directors, exactly as they should appear in English on the certificates. If there are mistakes in names in the submitted applications, the certificates will not be reprinted.
Please also provide the participants’ technical rider, email address and telephone numbers (Viber/WhatsApp).
During the contest performances of vocalists, both groups and soloists are prohibited from using full backing tracks (“plus” phonograms).
All participants must perform with minus/backing-track accompaniment. Soloists may use recorded backing vocals provided they do not duplicate the main melody. Duet and ensembles must sing without recorded backing vocals.
ATTENTION: Technical issues concerning the connection of musical instruments and equipment must be agreed with the sound engineer in advance!
All requests must be specified in the technical rider.
Only the following audio formats are accepted: MP3, WAV, and AIFF.
The original text specifies that each artist and photographer may submit no more than two competition works. Works must be no larger than A3. The subject matter and techniques could be different. Tablets (for photographers) and cameras should be provided.
Theme for artists: “MY GEORGIA” or “WONDERLAND”.
The techniques used may be different; photography themes are unrestricted.
For circus performers, insurance and reliable props are required. The duration of one number must not exceed 8 minutes.
All performance details must be agreed with the festival organizing committee well in advance of the delegation’s arrival.
Performances will be evaluated by an international jury.
At the conclusion of the contest, participants will be presented with awards at the Gala Concert.
All participants will receive certificates and exclusive memory gifts from the festival organizers, “TEAM TRAVEL” & “GEO.FEST.GEORGIA”.
Groups and individual performers will be evaluated by category and age group. The international jury awards the Grand Prix of the festival; in each category and age group, the titles of Laureate of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Degrees, as well as Diploma Winner, may be awarded.
Special Prize from the Festival Organizers! Audience Choice Award!
According to the jury’s decision, special diplomas and prizes may be awarded in the following categories: “Festival Discovery”, “For Artistry”, “Youngest Participant”, “Best Performance”, and “Originality of Staging”.
The jury has the right not to award the Grand Prix and may establish special awards based on the festival results.
If there are no sufficiently deserving candidates for the Grand Prix or prize places, those awards will not be given.
The Gala Concert program is determined by the directing and production team based on the jury’s decisions.
The decision of the international jury is final and cannot be changed!
Winning groups and individual performers will receive offers from “GEO.FEST.GEORGIA” & “TEAM TRAVEL” to participate in festivals held both in Georgia and abroad by our company and our international partners.
The organizers reserve the right to take photographs and make video recordings during the festival-contest and to distribute them.
If festival participants wish to purchase photo or video materials, they must pay a fee agreed in advance with the festival manager.
Group leaders are responsible for the health and safety of their
contestants. Submission of an application to participate in the contest constitutes acceptance of the Project Regulations. Participants travel to the Georgia at their own expense.
All matters not covered by the Regulations are decided by the
festival organizers.
The organizers reserve the right to make changes to the program.
Participants will be notified of program changes on the official Facebook pages: GeoFest and TeamTravel no later than one week before the festival-contest begins.
Changes to the program must be communicated to the organizers no later than three weeks before the start of the festival. After that, the established program will not be changed.
Free time.
Meeting with the festival organizing committee and technical services; consultations.
Dinner at the hotel until 21:00 in case the group misses dinner due to a late flight, we will arrange lunch boxes for them.
After breakfast -Tbilisi city tour. During the tour you will visit: Metekhi Church, offering a beautiful panorama of the Old Town; Narikala Fortress, reached by cable car; Abanotubani,
the sulphur-bath district; Meidan Square; and Shardeni Street.You will also visit Rike Park and the “Mshvidobisa Khidi” / Peace Bridge.
After the tour of the capital, we return to the hotel for lunch.
After lunch, we will go up to “Bombora” Park on the famous funicular, located on Mount Mtatsminda. This is one of the most visited parks in Tbilisi. Everyone can find something to enjoy: walking along beautiful paths and taking in the surrounding nature, riding thrilling attractions, or enjoying spectacular views of the Old Town. The park is designed in a fantasy style, with unusual and whimsical figures at every turn. After the excursion, you will return to the hotel by comfortable bus.
A JOURNEY INTO THE WORLD OF CHILDHOOD WILL TOUCH EVERYONE’S HEART!
Dinner at the hotel.
We depart for the city of Mtskheta. A sightseeing tour of the ancient capital follows, after which we head to the concert hall.
Lunchbox.
Grand opening of the festival: “NEW STORIES of the OLD CAPITAL,” and the start of the contest program.
PART I: Choreography
PART II: Vocals, choirs, and instrumental performances.
Awards ceremony for the festival participants.
Return to the hotel.
Dinner at the hotel.
We depart from the hotel for an excursion to the Kakheti region and
the city of Sighnaghi. Sighnaghi is known as the “City of Love” and
the “Georgian San Marino.”
Already at the entrance to Sighnaghi from the Tbilisi side, you can see a bas - relief depicting a suitor and his beloved on a balcony, intended to let visitors know that they have arrived in the “City of Love.”
There is also a version that it was in Sighnaghi that artist Niko Pirosmani gave his beloved a million scarlet roses, later immortalized in a song by Alla Pugacheva. Pirosmani literally sold his house and laid a sea of flowers at the feet of a certain singer, and then lived in a tiny room in Tbilisi, on a street that now bears his name.
Sightseeing tour of the city.
Lunch at a restaurant.
Free time.
After lunch, we depart to visit the estate of Alexander Chavchavadze.
The Chavchavadze estate in Tsinandali became a centre of Georgian high society in the mid-1820s. Mikhail Lermontov, Alexander Pushkin and, of course, Alexander Griboyedov visited here. The poet fell in love with Alexander Chavchavadze’s daughter, Nina. The marriage was short-lived. Several weeks after the wedding, Griboyedov was sent to Persia as an ambassador. In Tehran, a religious mob attacked the Russian Imperial mission. Griboyedov was killed. The poet was buried on Mount Mtatsminda in Tbilisi. Nina Chavchavadze survived her husband by 30 years but never remarried. She is buried next to Griboyedov. His gravestone bears her words: “Your mind and deeds are immortal in Russian memory, but why did my love survive you!”
Return to the hotel.
Dinner at the hotel.
Free time.
Lunch at the hotel.
(An additional excursion may be booked for an extra charge.)
Dinner at the hotel.
Departure of festival participants; transfer to the airport.
SEE YOU NEXT YEAR!
The total package price is 470 euro per person.
(Accommodation in Tbilisi for 5 nights / 6 days)
If a group leaves rubbish on buses, fails to leave the dressing rooms at the concert venue clean, damages public property at the concert venue, or causes damage to hotel property, the group will be required to pay a fine before departure. The amount of the fine will be determined in accordance with the applicable penalties set by the hotel management, the bus operator, and the official fee schedule of the state-owned concert venue. All group leaders will be informed of these charges before arriving at the festival.
The deadline for submitting applications is 14 days before the start of the festival!
Applications will be accepted until 31 October.
50% of the tour/package price and participant fee must be transferred to our account by 31 October 2026. After making the transfer, please send us a copy of the bank payment document
by e-mail: geofestival2023@gmail.com
The remaining amount must be paid two weeks before arrival at the contest.
If an application is cancelled in connection with hotel reservations for reasons beyond the organizers’ control, the 50% advance payment is non-refundable.
If participants who have already arrived at the festival decide to change their booking or reduce the number of days of their hotel stay, a penalty will be charged.
If the penalty is not paid, the group will be withdrawn from the contest.
If participants do not attend the festival for reasons beyond our control, they will also be withdrawn from the contest and the participation fee will not be refunded.
On festival days, groups will be provided with a lunchbox at the hotel instead of lunch or dinner, depending on the participant’s performance time.
P.S.
If any force majeure circumstances occur during the festival—including landslides, road closures, or natural disasters—our company will try our best to help resolve the issues. Please note, however, that we cannot accept responsibility for the situation itself.
You are welcome to contact us by any convenient means, and we will certainly respond to your inquiry.
ALL QUESTIONS REGARDING APPLICATIONS, THE FESTIVAL PROGRAMME AND THE TECHNICAL RIDER:
Cell phone: +995 579 401 122; +995 592 45 31 09
WhatsApp: +995 579 401 122; +995 592 45 31 09
Viber: +995 579 401 122; +995 592 45 31 09
E-mail: geofestival2023@gmail.com
We are available 24 hours a day!
Dear colleagues,
We would be happy to consider revising the excursion programme of our festival for those groups who have been joining us for several years, while ensuring that any changes do not affect the competition days.
Yours sincerely,
Festival President
Elena Barsegova
OLD CAPITAL 2026
Tbilisi, Mtskheta, Signagi
19 november – 24 november
ATTENTION!